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RNS 510 vs Alpine 6.5" In-Dash Double-Din Car Video Deck (IVA-W205)

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rtiangco

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Would like your comments on these products.

I was thinking of upgrading my factory head unit and was advised by best buy tech that after market head units are better that factory installed units as the after market ones have a built in mini amplifier...Comments???

RNS 510 is a factory unit so I am getting confused.. :(
 
#2 · (Edited)
Unfortunately, a vast majority of people that work at b.b. that I've spoken with don't know what they're talking about. The factory deck, 510, has an amplifier built into it too; that's how it delivers power to the speakers (even if there's an external factory amp somewhere in the car, there is an amplifier in the head unit, just a low powered one).

Naturally there are pros and cons to both. The 510 will match fit and finish, whereas the alpine will require aftermarket 2DIN surround and will not integrate into the dash very well without some modification(s). The 510 will also require no extra parts to integrate into the car's electrical system whereas the Alpine will, thus adding cost.

I suggest this; decide what features are most important to you, find units that have all of those features, compare additional features that they might have, and finally compare price. If all being roughly equal, pick the one you like to look at. Note: although this is difficult to do, I highly suggest trying out the user interface before buying. If you can't try before you buy, check out videos on youtube.
 
#3 ·
Not so fast there brosef. A Dual Din kit is made for out cars and while it might not be exactly factory fit it does give your car the "factory" look. I had the P7 in my car with the ipod arm rest adapter and I would have thought that VW would have at least gotten that right! Wrong I mean how long has the iPod been out? I still can't see what song is playing let alone control everything on my iPod. Bull****. When I bought my MKV after by Passat B5.5 was totaled I thought to myself lets leave this car alone and put just my sub in with an amp. Well turns out the Factory head units Amp doesn't output enough power to run a LOC (line out converter) so I opted for the P3200BT by Pioneer and since have exchanged it because a bigger and badder model just dropped! Where are you looking at these headunits other than Best Buy? The people there don't know DICK! Believe me my best friend runs Customer Service at our local BB and he doesn't know a Mac from a PC! Seriously! Search different places on the net for better deals(unless you have a BB card and want to finace the beast) Keep in mind though in order for your car to function properly without lots of tight soldering areas you will need a harness and those ladies aren't cheap! After all is said and done I have proably put more than 600 into just the Headunit jsut so I could have more bass and I haven 't been happier! Whatever you do DO NOT LET BB INSTALL ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR! They don't have the proper materials there and will send YOU out to get them

Here is a pic of the P3200BT I installed. No need to go over the functions as Google is a great tool:

Image
 
#6 ·
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#7 ·
Quest_ said:
Not so fast there brosef. A Dual Din kit is made for out cars and while it might not be exactly factory fit it does give your car the "factory" look. I had the P7 in my car with the ipod arm rest adapter and I would have thought that VW would have at least gotten that right! Wrong I mean how long has the iPod been out? I still can't see what song is playing let alone control everything on my iPod. Bull****. When I bought my MKV after by Passat B5.5 was totaled I thought to myself lets leave this car alone and put just my sub in with an amp. Well turns out the Factory head units Amp doesn't output enough power to run a LOC (line out converter) so I opted for the P3200BT by Pioneer and since have exchanged it because a bigger and badder model just dropped! Where are you looking at these headunits other than Best Buy? The people there don't know DICK! Believe me my best friend runs Customer Service at our local BB and he doesn't know a Mac from a PC! Seriously! Search different places on the net for better deals(unless you have a BB card and want to finace the beast) Keep in mind though in order for your car to function properly without lots of tight soldering areas you will need a harness and those ladies aren't cheap! After all is said and done I have proably put more than 600 into just the Headunit jsut so I could have more bass and I haven 't been happier! Whatever you do DO NOT LET BB INSTALL ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR! They don't have the proper materials there and will send YOU out to get them

QUOTE]

WTFBBQ??? I have a 2006 with the "****ty" Premium system. Running 3 amps using an Audio Control LC6i and, while not as nice as my last vehicles sysytem, kicks pretty good. Where did you come up with that little tidbit??

As for the factory RNS 510 or aftermarket debate, The RNS is a great unit. Also, there is an RNS 315 out for the new (2010-11) VW's. It all depends on what your after. Factory will not give you a pure sound quality setup without processing (JL CleanSweep, JBL MS-8, Audison BitOne) but with the right amps/speakers will satisfy most owners.

Aftermarket has features like active crossovers, time allignment, parametric EQ, as well as more power output. But like mentioned earlier, cost a little extra with the CANBUS and wheel adapters.
Click to expand...
 
#9 ·
Around $1,200-$2,000 depending on version and condition, possibly cheaper if you're lucky. Can be found in various classified sections on different forums as well as other online "retailers" (I use that term very loosely).
 
#10 ·
I've done both, so I have some opinions on the matter.

RNS 510
pros:
integrates into car perfectly, easily
directions in mfd
great maps
very quick bootup

cons:
software isn't the greatest especially compared to aftermarket units (speed of entry, and searching for poi's)
much more expensive
can't integrate bluetooth or ipod easily or cheaply


aftermarket units
pros:
much cheaper
out of the box integrated bluetooth and ipod
better menu systems and poi searches
newer maps
better aftermarket community support

cons:
not nearly as easy to integrate into electrical system
no stock steering wheel radio controls
can't integrate navi into mfd
doesn't look as good installed even with "best" trim kit


After all that I am happy with the RNS, and I would do it again, but if I was on a budget, I would go aftermarket and save almost $1000. OEM is much, much more expensive for far fewer features except mfd integration. I just got tired of the pioneer boot delay, and didn't care for Alpine. Not sure now which aftermarket units are the best.
 
#12 · (Edited)
i went the cheap route off ebay. cost me around 500 with everything dash kit harness and all.
i did have to customize a double din holder up for the head unit. but that was easy. matches my dash lights with the red. i can also turn blue. `7" 1080p ipod dvd nav tv and backup camera.
Image

Image

then i modded its built in gps to handle garmin
looks fine in dash
Image
 
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#15 ·
All those double din units look like garbage. Fitting a sharp cornered rectangle into a radiused cornered rectangle looks so unfinished to me and shows a terrible lack of attention to detail.

Sorry, I just wanted to rain on your parade. I'll never be able to afford a real rns-510, and if i can't enjoy a nav/dvd system, nobody else should be able to either.
 
#19 ·
If OEM fit and finish aren't important to you, any of the aftermarket units available are probably better options than any OEM offering as far as feature content. But to me, that's where they stop being better.

If you're at all concerned with OEM fit and finish, RNS-510 is the only way to go. I don't care how fancy the aftermarket manufacturers make the fit kits, the units looked tacked onto the dash. That doesn't even begin to touch the differences in UI, either. While I'm often a "form follows function" type, I stop short of that with aftermarket head units due to how poorly they mate to the OEM finish. I guess a big factor is also the amount of time I spend playing with toys in the car (minimal at best), so I don't need all of the extra shiny features of the aftermarket units.

It's purely personal preference. If you can look at one of those aftermarket units and not put your fist through the screen in disgust, more power to you. ;)
 
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#20 ·
Dan Halen said:
If OEM fit and finish aren't important to you, any of the aftermarket units available are probably better options than any OEM offering as far as feature content. But to me, that's where they stop being better.

If you're at all concerned with OEM fit and finish, RNS-510 is the only way to go. I don't care how fancy the aftermarket manufacturers make the fit kits, the units looked tacked onto the dash. That doesn't even begin to touch the differences in UI, either. While I'm often a "form follows function" type, I stop short of that with aftermarket head units due to how poorly they mate to the OEM finish. I guess a big factor is also the amount of time I spend playing with toys in the car (minimal at best), so I don't need all of the extra shiny features of the aftermarket units.

It's purely personal preference. If you can look at one of those aftermarket units and not put your fist through the screen in disgust, more power to you. ;)
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree that the RNS-510 is the only way to get OEM fit and finish. The Rosen looks great.
Image


Image
 
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